Simply when it appeared Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth had lastly moved on from the notorious IPL 2008 slapgate controversy, tensions have resurfaced as soon as once more.Sreesanth lately challenged Harbhajan, asking whether or not the previous India spinner had the “guts” to step into a hoop with him. The comment got here amid a recent disagreement linked to a current commercial that Sreesanth believes referenced the slapgate incident.
From teammates to controversy
The origins of the dispute date again to the inaugural IPL season in 2008. After a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth, resulting in one of many greatest controversies in Indian cricket historical past.The incident resulted in disciplinary motion in opposition to Harbhajan, whereas photographs of a tearful Sreesanth grew to become one of many defining moments of the event.Regardless of the controversy, the 2 continued as teammates for India and have been a part of the squads that gained the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Reconciliation that appeared real
Through the years, Harbhajan publicly expressed remorse over the incident, whereas Sreesanth appeared to maneuver previous the episode.In 2023, Sreesanth described Harbhajan as an elder-brother determine, saying they’d “all the time been mates” and suggesting the controversy had been blown out of proportion. He additionally credited Harbhajan for serving to him with commentary suggestions.For a lot of, it appeared the connection had been repaired.
Why the problem has resurfaced
The newest fallout seems to stem from Sreesanth’s objection to an commercial that includes Harbhajan, which he believes made reference to the slapgate controversy.Sreesanth has alleged that Harbhajan benefited financially from the commercial and has acknowledged that he now not shares a relationship with him. He has additionally revealed that he has blocked Harbhajan.The dispute is now not concerning the authentic incident alone however about how that incident continues to be revisited years later.
The household influence
The controversy has additionally prolonged past the 2 former cricketers. Harbhajan beforehand revealed that he was deeply affected when he met Sreesanth’s daughter and she or he reportedly advised him she didn’t wish to communicate to him as a result of he had hit her father. The incident highlighted how a second from 2008 continued to resonate years later, not just for the gamers concerned but in addition for his or her households.
Outdated wounds reopen
Harbhajan has repeatedly apologised for the slapgate episode, however Sreesanth’s newest feedback counsel the controversy stays a delicate topic.His problem to Harbhajan is being seen as a response to what he sees because the continued public use of an incident that had deeply affected him and his household.Almost 18 years after one in all Indian cricket’s most controversial moments, the connection between Harbhajan and Sreesanth as soon as once more finds itself below the highlight.
